Reading vs Cardiff City - Cardiff's unconvincing start to continue

Cardiff and Reading are set to continue their weak starts to the new campaign

Cardiff have not performed too well so far this season (Getty Images)

Reading FC vs Cardiff City FC Tips, Predictions & Free Bets

Neil Warnock’s Cardiff City will travel across England to the Madjeski Stadium for the Championship’s Sunday midday kick-off. Both teams are currently adjusting to some changes at the start of the new campaign and a draw looks likely to be on the cards on Sunday.

Reading FC vs Cardiff City FC Match Details

Date

Sunday 18th August

Venue

The Madjeski Stadium

Competition

EFL Championship

Time

12:00 (GMT +1)

Reading FC Form & Team News

Reading have suffered a slow start to their Championship campaign. The Royals have lost both of their two opening matches but have shown some signs of improvement. Their first game saw them lost 3-1 at home to Sheffield Wednesday. Yakou Meite grabbed the solitary goal for the home side but they were simply outclassed by a strong Sheffield Wednesday side. Their next game saw them lose 2-1 away to Hull City. The Royals conceded two very early goals but settled in the game after that and were unlucky not to fight back. They will have been handed a boost by their victory against Wycombe in the English League Cup. The game ended in a 1-1 draw but Reading would go on to win on penalties. New signing George Puscas grabbed a goal for the club and will be pushing for a place in the starting 11 this weekend. Lucas Joao and Yakou Meite are likely to lead the line for Gomes’s men on Sunday. Joao has the unique record of scoring twice in the Championship. Once against Reading on the opening day for Sheffield Wednesday, and one for the club after joining them a few days later. Reading are currently out at odds of 3.50 to pick up their first victory of the season against Cardiff. A draw is available at 3.25 with bet365, which given Reading’s start to the campaign is better value than betting on the win. Neil Warnock will want to guide Cardiff back to the Premier League (Getty Images)

Cardiff City Form & Team News

Cardiff City have had a mixed start to life back in the Championship. Neil Warnock’s men will have a playoff spot in their crosshairs for the coming season. The Bluebirds lost their opening game of the season to Wigan 3-2 but snatched their first win of the season last weekend against Luton 2-1 in the last minute thanks to a goal from debutant Issac Vassell. Cardiff will once again start with Alex Smithies in goal after Neil Etheridge picked up an injury on the opening day. Aiden Flint will continue to start at the back for the club after impressing last week and grabbing a goal as well. Cardiff are currently the favourites for the match at 2.15 with bet365 but this may not be worth taking given the strength of their performances so far.

Cardiff vs Reading - Both teams struggling to get going

Cardiff may have won their match against Luton last weekend but a 2-1 last-minute winner against a newly promoted side is not exactly the most convincing of wins. Reading, on the other hand, will begin to worry about this season if they can not register their first points on the board on Sunday afternoon. The team have not looked great in their opening three matches and another defeat could begin to see them tumble further down the table. With neither side looking particularly strong at the back, and both of them having seen both teams score in their first two matches, this game looks as though it could end up being a score draw.

Cardiff vs Reading - Draw backed

A draw in this match is currently priced at 3.25 with bet365 and that is our tip for the encounter. Neither of these teams has looked convincing in their early games. Neither team has managed to keep a clean sheet so far this season but they have also managed to hit the net in each of their games so far as well. Both teams to score is currently priced at 1.80, which is definitely worth a little bet.

Verdict

Cardiff and Reading have both had stuttering starts to their campaign and both teams have looked leaky at the back. A draw offers great value for this one.

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